Arulappan is VCS Educator of Excellence

Selvaraj Arulappan holds the framed certificate he received for his award.

Selvaraj Arulappan, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Vance County High School, was chosen as the Vance County School’s Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence for 2018-2019.

With his award, Arulappan represented our school system in the N.C. Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence Award competition at the state level and attended the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s 68th Conference on Exceptional Children held in Greensboro November 15-16.

Arulappan has 13 years of experience as an educator and is a leader among his peers at Vance County High School. He received his master’s degree in special education from N.C. Central University.

He has a passion for working with students who are intellectually, physically and behaviorally challenged. He also is very successful in engaging and connecting with students.

He is a leader in the classroom and serves in multiple roles at Vance County High including on the Leadership Team, as a PBIS Committee member and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He also collaborates with the music therapy and art staff to provide diverse experiences for his students. His colleagues describe him as caring, compassionate, supportive, proactive, dedicated and engaging.

"Mr. Arulappan has done such amazing work serving his students in preparation for transition into life after high school," one colleague said.

Another colleague noted, "Mr. Arulappan stands out above others with his ability to engage and connect with students. He actively engages the parents in meeting the educational needs of their children."

Several educators who work with him said that Arulappan goes beyond the call of duty to support his students and colleagues.